Parent Educator

The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization•Portland, OR

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Parent Educator works in IRCO’s African Immigrant Parent-Child Development Services (PCDS) program, which provides parent education and developmental screening to families with children from birth to age five. The program supports kindergarten readiness, developmental screening, referrals and navigation to community resources, and parenting education through home visits, parent group meetings, role modeling, and connections to available services. Parent Educators promote healthy child development, help families prepare children for kindergarten, and connect parents and caregivers with primary care providers, schools, and early intervention services. The position works under the guidance of the Director of Early Learning and Assistant Manager of Home Visiting and does not supervise employees, though it may occasionally train, orient, or direct new employees. This is an on-call/casual position based at IRCO Africa House in Portland, with a hybrid work setting and no benefits. The starting wage is $23.84 per hour, depending on experience.

Requirements

Associate degree or equivalent and/or professional training.
One to two years of experience in early childhood education and/or equivalent early childhood education coursework.
Proficiency in English and one of the listed languages; the posting specifies Somali for this role and elsewhere says bilingual African/Somali language is preferred.
Valid driver’s license, current auto insurance verification, and full use of an automobile during work hours.
Pass a criminal background check with the Oregon Department of Human Services.
Oral and written communication skills appropriate to the position.
Background, experience, or community affiliation involving immigrant and refugee communities, with understanding of their cultural values and beliefs.
Self-motivation and ability to work independently, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Working knowledge of Microsoft 365 and Microsoft products, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
Ability to meet multiple, potentially conflicting deadlines; maintain confidentiality; and communicate with varied personality types and organizational levels, including people outside the organization.
Ability to work flexible hours to accommodate client availability.
Complete Parents As Teachers Foundational Training within six months of hire; the program provides tuition.

Nice To Haves

Strong communication skills.
Strong ability to work in a team setting.
Ability to use nonstandard procedures and techniques to resolve unusual problems or address management requirements.
Ability to use initiative and judgment in completing tasks and responsibilities.
Ability to deal courteously and effectively with employees, agency representatives, the public, and others.
Ability to function positively in a demanding work environment, demonstrate flexibility, respond to changing priorities and schedules, and meet commitments.

Responsibilities

Conduct home visits and educate families on supporting children's social and emotional health and awareness.
Maintain accurate records of family interactions, assessments, progress notes, and project files.
Support recruitment and engagement for parent education workshops, including providing translation during workshops as needed.
Assist families with kindergarten enrollment.
Refer families to and support access to Special Education services.
Help families access available social, health, and educational resources.
Host and prepare culturally and linguistically specific services for targeted communities and families with children ages zero to five. Services may include client intakes, referrals, ESL classes, child-development monitoring, ASQ-3 and ASQ SE-2 assessments, and home visits.
Attend PCDS and Early Learning team meetings, monthly check-ins, and required collaborative trainings.
Complete monthly data and demographic reports for enrolled families.
Prepare and translate educational materials as needed.
Facilitate communication among healthcare providers, early intervention services, schools, and parents or caregivers, including advocating directly for families and their needs.
Attend partner, community, and agency meetings as assigned.
Maintain current paper and Apricot 360 information-technology records and files for enrolled families.
Support community outreach and education about health and well-being.
Support early-learning events organized by early-learning staff.
Participate in recommended professional development and other assigned or required training activities.